Should Twoball Golf Become The New Norm?

Fergus Bisset and Jeremy Ellwood debate the pros and cons of more extensive twoball golf. Would an improved pace of play make up for the possible loss of revenue?

Should Twoball Golf Become The New Norm?

Yes says Fergus Bisset

One of the very best things about the post-lockdown return to golf was the rapid flow of play golfers enjoyed at courses up and down the country.

This, across the board, speeding up of our great game was largely triggered by the majority of us golfing only in twoballs.

A commonly cited obstacle for those considering taking up golf, or taking on a club membership, is the length of time an 18-hole round takes.

Twoball-only golf could remove this barrier, sparking life back into the game and drawing people in.

Completing rounds in three hours or less post-lockdown was a breath of fresh air.

Already keen golfers relished the lack of waiting on tees and fairways whilst receiving a clear demonstration of how golf might be changed to appeal to a broader spectrum of the population.

For a glorious spell, people were able to fit golf into their day, rather than golf consuming their day.

Golf returned to being simply a fun and healthy, fast-moving sporting activity rather than a time-sapping commitment.

In terms of socialising, golfing in a twoball is not found wanting.

It provides a real opportunity to chat properly to an individual, either to catch up with, or get to know them.

For those who really want to play in their usual fourball, then why not try foursomes?

It’s a great and underplayed format and it allows for even faster rounds if done properly.

Alternatively; play in twos and meet up after the round to debrief.

Historically, a large proportion of golf was played in twoballs or foursomes and round times were rarely over three hours.

Somewhere along the path golf lost its way but the Coronavirus has provided an opportunity for the sport to get back on track.

We should grasp that opportunity and, once again, make twoball golf the norm.

Should Twoball Golf Become The New Norm?

No says Jeremy Ellwood

Many golf club members relished whizzing round in three hours or less as post-lockdown golf resumed for twoball play only, and there was a real buzz about speedy round times on social media.

But we were in a honeymoon period then - just relieved to be back out there after being starved of our passion for weeks - and great though it was, twoball only golf just wouldn’t be universally sustainable, or desirable, going forwards.

Clubs that were finding it hard before lockdown wouldn’t be able to maximise revenue, and bustling clubs would struggle to meet demand and keep all members happy.

Yes, some nomadic golfers might be tempted back into the membership fold if round times really were three hours maximum, but the likelihood is that this would be negated by those for whom club membership would become less appealing if they could no longer play their regular three- or fourball with their best mates.

Perhaps clubs should consider providing a few more dedicated twoball only slots on their tee sheets to satisfy those for whom speed really is of the essence if they are to find club membership attractive, but anything more than that would prove counterproductive, I fear.

Little Aston was one club to announce something along these lines, going for twoballs until midday and three- and fourballs after that from early June, but of course, even this won’t suit everybody.

Therein lies one of golf’s greatest challenges – trying to keep hundreds of people with different wants, desires, availability and free time all happy, a herculean task for any golf club administrator.

So, let’s not make twoball golf the new norm, but rather provide a little more opportunity for it for those for whom it really does make a big difference.

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